Report: Islamic State Defectors Speaking Out More

A new report says a growing number of "disillusioned" Islamic State (IS) militants are defecting from the group and could be used by governments to deter potential recruits.

The study, published on September 21 by the International Centre for the Study of Radicalization and Political Violence (ICSR) at King's College London, says at least 58 defectors had spoken out, two-thirds of them this year.

The 58 cases are "likely only a fraction of those disillusioned, ready to defect and/or willing to go public," the report says.

The ICSR calls on governments to make it easier for defectors to speak out, without the threat of prosecution, as their testimonies could deter others from joining the IS group.

It says those who told their stories overwhelmingly said they were disaffected by the killing of fellow Muslims, including civilians, and the group's failure to confront Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's regime.